Case



Sgpt. 22, 1936. I G RQSENBERG 2,055,389

CASE

Fi led June 5, 1936 George, Rosenberg 2; BY l M 3m 55 {\TTORNEYS Patented Sept. 22, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE .CASE

George Rosenberg, New Rochelle, N. Y.

Application June 5, 1936, Serial No. 83,637

v 16 Claims. (01. 132-83) This invention relates to cases, particularly pocket cases used for cosmetics, cigarettes, or the like, and more especially to a vanity case intended for use with loose powder.

The primary object of this invention is to generally improve cases such as are commonly used for cosmetics, cigarettes, or other pocket purposes. A more particular object resides in the provision of such a case made of contrasting materials, preferably having a lustrous polished colorful top and bottom made of a suitable molded plastic supported by a contrasting metallic peripheral band. The case may be given adequate strength by making the peripheral band of substantial thickness and rabbeting or shouldering the metal to receive the bottom of the case. This, however, is an expensive operation. Moreover, the attachment of suitable hinges for the cover to the peripheral band, has heretofore been an expensive operation. In accordance with further features and objects of my invention, a thin continuous sheet metal band is used, the, bottom of the case being received therewithin. A filler strip 'is bent around the inside of the case against the band, and the top and bottom edges of the band are curled inwardly to lock the bottom, the filler strip, and the band together in assembled relation. The hinges are preferably inexpensively secured to the outer band by simple tongue and slot connections, the tongues inside the case being concealed by the aforesaid filler strip.

Further objects of my invention center about the provision of a mirror in the case. In accordance'with my invention, a metallic mirror is employed, this mirror being secured directly against the inner face of the cover. The cover is dimensioned to fit over the peripheral wall of the case, whereas the mirror is dimensioned to fit within the peripheral wall, so that the mirror and cover in combination form a shoulder for tightly sealing the case. Moreover, the cover when made of certain plastic materials may have a tendency to warp, and this tendency is counteracted by the stiffening effect of the relativelyheavy gauge metallic mirror which is secured directly against the cover. The cover is secured to its hinges .by s rivets, and a lock or clasp is secured to-the opposite edge of the cover by rivets; and in accordance with another feature of the invention, these rivets are so located as to pass through the mirror plate as well as the cover, and thus function to hold the plate and cover together.

Still further objects of my invention center about the adaptation of the case for use with loose powder. For this purpose, I provide an inner container for the loose powder, said container being openable to receive a quantity of loose powder, and being provided with a suitable powder sifter. The inner container is substantially sift-proof although made inexpensively of 5 sheet celluloid. Moreover, it is dimensioned to be received snugly within the outer case, and the outer case then functions to insure close sealing I of the inner container.

In accordance with a still further feature of the 10 invention, the case is made adaptable for use either as a vanity case or as a cigarette case, and with this object in view the case is dimensioned in at least one direction to equal the length of standard cigarettes. By simply removing the inner 15 loose-powder container, the outer case may be employed as a cigarette case.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and other objects which will hereinafter appear, my invention consists in the vanity or/and cigarette 90 case elements, and their relation one to the other, as hereinafter are more particularly described in the specification and sought to be defined in the claims. The specification is accompanied by a drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred form of loose-powder case embodying features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken in the plane of the line 2-2 of Fig. 1, but with the case in closed condition;

Fig. 3 shows the inner loose-powder container in disassembled state; i

Fig. 4 is a partially sectioned elevation taken in the plane of the line 4-4 of Fig. 2, and is explanatory of the hinge construction; and

Fig. 5 is a partially sectioned elevation taken in the plane of the line 55 of Fig. 2, and is explanatory of a detail of the invention.

Referring to the drawing and more particularly to Fig. 1, the inventionas here illustrated It comprises a bottom part l6 upwardly flanged at IS, the entire member being pressed from a single piece of sheet material, for example celluloid. Loose powder is placed in the bottom part l6, and a sifter 20 is laid thereover. Sifter 20 comprises a peripheral frame 22 supporting a 55 screen of fine mesh, this screen being made, for example, of textile thread. A finger tab 24 may be secured to frame 22 to facilitate removal of the sifter from the container. The container is completed by a top member 26 which is downwardly flanged at.28 to fit over and mate with the bottom member. The center portion of the cover 26 is cut away, as is indicated at 30, for access to the powderthrough the sifter. The cover is depressed by a substantial distance in order to receive a suitable powder puff, shown at 32' in Fig. 1. By reference to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the height of cover member 26 at the periphery of the inner container is made equal to the internal dimension of the outer case l2, and that the outer case when closed serves to hold the inner container in tightly closed condition. It will also be seen that the top member 26 is very substantially depressed at the periphery 30 of the window, thereby forming adequate space for the powder puff 32', and also operating to depress the sifter 26 and to seal the same near its periphery. The inner container is not intended to be itself adequate in strength or rigidity, but acts primarily as a removable lining for the outer case, it being protectively housed and held tightly closed by the outer case, and the assembly of innerand outer containers being sift-proof.

The outer case is constructed as follows. The peripheral wall is made of a thin continuous sheet metal band 32. The bottom 34 of the case may be made of any desired material, but I prefer to use a moldable or cast plastic material such as Catalin. The bottom 34 accurately fits and is received within the peripheral band 32. The lower edge of the band is curled inwardly at 36 to hold the bottom 34, and the latter may, if desired, be recessed or shouldered at 38 to receive the inturned edge 36. The lower plates 46 of hinges 42 are secured to band-32 by tongue and slot connections. The band is provided with vertical slits 44, while the ends of plates 40 are formed into tongues 46 which are passed through slits 44 and turned flat against the band, as will be seen from Figs. 2 and 4.

A filler strip-46 is next applied, this strip being bent around the inside of the case against the band 32. For convenience and economy, the strip is not a closed band, and its ends 50 and 52 are brought into abutting relation at the center of the forward edge of -the case, as is best shown in Fig. 5. It will be understood from examination of Fig.2 or Fig. 4, that the filler strip 48 is pressed against and conceals the hinge tongues 46. When the filler strip 48 has been snapped into place,

the ends may be locked in position by means of a' rivet 54 having a relatively large-area head at the inside which bears against the ends 50 and 52 of strip 48. The ends 50 and 52 of the filler strip are recessed at 53, the recesses registering to form an opening through which the body of the rivet freely passes. Reverting momentarily to Fig. 3, it will be noted that the forward edge of the inner-container is preferably indented at 55 to clear the-head of rivet 54. At the outside of the case, the rivet is flanged or shouldered at 56 to lock .the same in place against the outer band 32. The rivet projects at reduced diameter beyond flange 56, as is indicated at 58, this projection acting as a detent for the lock or clasp 60 of the case. The top edge of band 32 is turned inwardly at 6| to lock the bottom 34 and the filler strip 48 in. assembled relation with the outer band 32. The inturned edge 6| may be formed in advance, in which case the filler strip is inserted in place by first displacing the ends 50 and 52 and then expanding the filler strip until the ends come into abutting relation. It is also possible to bend the edge 6| forcibly downward over the filler strip after the filler strip and the bottom have been put in place. The assembled metallic frame is rigid and sturdy, and is in every way comparable to a solid frame, butismore economical to manufacture.

The cover comprises a plate 62 of suitable composition material, preferably a material the same as is used on the bottom. The top 62, however, is made larger in dimension and is disposed over the top edge of band 32. It is hinged to the case by hinges 42 previously mentioned, the hinges. being secured in place by rivets 64. It is provided at its opposite edge with a plate 66 riveted at 68 and hingedly carrying the clasp 60 previously referred to.

The top 62 is preferably provided with a mirror. I prefer to use a metallic mirror of relatively heavy gauge. This mirror is made somewhat smaller than the composition top 62, and is dimensioned to be received within the side walls of the case. The assembled cover is thus formed with a shoulder which helps better seal the case.

The mirror is preferably secured by the rivets 64 and 68 previously referred to, these rivets being carried through top 62 and mirror HI and then riveted in place, as is clearly shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 4. The use of heavy-gauge metal for the mirror has the advantage not only in providing abetter shoulder for sealing the case, but also of stiffening and reinforcing the top 62 against deformation when using a composition which is subject to warping.

The outer case l2 may be used for purposes other than the carrying of loose powder. In the specific case here illustrated, the outer case is so dimensioned in one direction as to equal the length of standard cigarettes, and by merely removing the inner container it is possible to load the outer case with cigarettes and to use the same as a cigarette case.

The case may be made beautiful and attractive in appearance by using composition materials for the top and bottom, these materials being lustrous and polished and available in a variety of colors and finishesl The coloring may be grained, mottled, or streaked, if desired. These materials form an effective contrast with the gleaming metallic band which may be plated with gold, silver, chromium, or the like. The top plate may be selected with transparent or translucent areas which present an unusual silvery appearance when backed by the mirror plate.

It is believed that the mode of constructing and using, as well as the many advantages of my improvedpocket case, will be apparent from the foregoing detailed describtion thereof. It will also be apparent that while I have shown and described the invention in a preferred form, many changes and modifications may be made in the structure disclosed, without departing from the spirit of the invention, defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A vanity or cigarette or like case comprising a thin oontinuous'sheet metal band at the periphery of the case, a bottom received within said band near the lower edge thereof, a filler strip substantially equal in width to the internal height of the case, said strip'being bent around the inside of the case against the band, the top and bottom edges of the band being turned inwardly 75.

of molded plastic material received within said band near the bottom 'edge thereof, a metal filler strip substantially equal in width to the internal height of the case, said strip being bent around the inside of the case adjacent the aforesaid band, the top and bottom edges of the band be-- ing turned inwardly to hold the bottom, the filler strip, and the band together in assembled relation, and a cover for said case.

3. A cigarette or vanity or like case comprising a peripheral band, a bottom therefor, hinges secured to said band at one side of the case, a lock detent secured to said band at the opposite side of the case, a cover, a metallic mirror secured to the inner side of said cover, said cover being riveted to the aforesaid hinges near one edge, a clasp riveted to the cover near its opposite edge, the rivets of said hinges and clasp passing through the metallic mirror as well as the cover in order to secure the mirror and cover together.

4. A cigarette or vanity or like pocket case comprising a metallic band forming the periphery of the case, a bottom made of contrasting molded plastic material set into and supported by said band, hinges secured to said band at one side of the case, a lock detent secured to said band at the opposite side of the case, a cover plate made of molded plastic material dimensioned to fit over said band, a metallic mirror secured to the inner side of said cover and dimensioned to fit within said band, said cover being riveted to the aforesaid hinges near one edge, a clasp riveted'to the cover near its opposite edge, the rivets of said hinges and clasp passing through the metallic mirror as well as the cover in order to secure the mirror and cover together.

5. A cigarette or vanity or like case comprising a thin sheet metal band forming the periphery of the case, a flat bottom made of contrasting material received within said band near the bottom edge thereof, hinges secured to said band,

a filler strip substantially equal in width to theinternal height of the case, said strip being bent around the inside of the case adjacent the aforesaid band, the top and ,bottom edges of the band being turned inwardly to lock the bottom, the filler strip, and the band together in assembled relation, a cover for said case, a relatively stiff sheet of metal on the inside of said cover, one edge of said cover being riveted to the aforesaid hinges, the rivets of said hinges passing through the metal plate as well as the cover and functioning to secure the plate and cover together.

6. A cigarette or vanity or like case comprising a thin sheet metal band forming the periphery of the case, a flat bottom made of contrasting material received within said band near the bottom edge thereof, hinges secured to said band by tongue and slot connections, a filler strip substantially equal in width to the internal height of the case, said strip being bent around the inside of the case adjacent the aforesaid band and concealing said tongues, the top and bottom edges of the band being turned inwardly to lock the bottom, the filler strip, and the band together in assembled relation,'and a cover for said case, said cover being made of contrasting material like the bottom, one edge of said cover being secured to the aforesaid hinges.

7. A vanity or cigarette or like case comprising a thin sheet metal band forming the periphery of the case, a flat bottom made of contrasting material received within said band near the bottom edge thereof, hinges secured to said band by tongue and slot connections, a filler strip substan tially equal in width to the internal height of the case, said strip being bent around the inside of the case adjacent the aforesaid band and concealing said tongues, the ends of said strip coming into abutting relation at a point opposite the aforesaid hinges, a rivet passing between said ends and through the band, the outer end of the rivet projecting from the band to act as a lock detent, the top and bottom edges of the band being turned inwardly to lock the bottom, the filler strip, and the band together in assembled relation, a cover for said case, said cover being made of contrasting material like the bottom, one edge of said cover being secured to the aforesaid hinges, and a clasp secured to the opposite edge of the cover.

8. A vanity or cigarette or like pocket case comprising a thin continuous sheet metal band forming the periphery of the case, a bottom received within said band near the bottom edge thereof, hinges secured to said band by tongue and slot connections, a filler strip substantially equal in width to the internal height of the case, said strip being bent around the inside of the case adjacent the aforesaid band, the ends of said strip coming into abutting relation at a point opposite the aforesaid hinges, a rivet passing between said ends and through the band, the outer end of the rivet projecting from the band to act as a lock detent, the top and bottom edges of the band being turned inwardly to hold the bottom, the filler strip, and the band together in assembled relation, a cover dimensioned to fit over the top edge of the case, a relatively stiff sheet metal mirror on the-inside of said cover, said mirror being dimensioned to fit within the case, one edge of said cover being riveted to the aforesaid hinges, and a clasp riveted to the opposite edge of the cover, the rivets of said hinges and clasp passing gether.

9. A loose-powder container for lining the in- V terior of a vanity case, said container comprising an upwardly flanged bottom part, a powder sifter therein, and a downwardly flanged top part mating with the bottom part, the middle of the top part being cut away for access to the powder through the sifter.

10. A loose-powder container for lining the interior of a vanity case, said container comprising flanged mating top and bottom parts formed of pressed sheet celluloid, the top part being cut away for access to the powder, and a powder sifter having an area substantially equal to that of the container and disposed between the top and bottom parts of the container.

11. A vanity case comprising an outer case and an inner container for loose powder, said inner container comprising a body, and a powder sifter disposed in said body, the center part of the top of said body being cut away for access to the powder through the sifter, and said container when assembled being so dimensioned as to be received snugly within the aforesaid outside case.

12. A vanity case comprising an outercase and an inner container for loose powder, said inner container comprising an upwardly flanged sheet celluloid body member, a powder sifter disposed in said body member, a downwardly flanged cover member adapted to fit over and mate with the body member, the center part of said cover member being cut away for access to the powder through the sifter, and said container when assembled being so dimensioned as to be received snugly within the aforesaid outside case.

13. A vanity case comprising an outer case and a removable inner container for loose powder, said inner container comprising an upwardly flanged body member, a powder sifter disposed in said body member, a. downwardly flanged cover member adapted to fit over and mate with the body member, the center part of said cover member being cut away for access to the powder through the sifter, and said container when assembled being so dimensioned as to be received snugly within the aforesaid outside case, said outside case having a dimension in one direction equal to the length of standard cigarettes.

14. A vanity case comprising an outer case, and an inner powder container, said outer case comprising a thin continuous sheet metal band forming the periphery of the case, a bottom received within said band near the bottom edge thereof, a filler strip substantially equal in width to the internal height of the case, said strip beingbent around the inside of the case adjacent the aforesaid band, the top and bottom edges of the band being turned inwardly to hold the bottom, the flller stripgand the band together in assembled relation, a cover hingedly mounted on said case, and a clasp for said cover, said inner powder container comprising an upwardly flanged body member, a powder sifter disposed in said body member, a downwardly flanged cover member adapted to mate with the body member, the center part of said cover member being cut away for access to the powder through the sifter, and said container when assembled being so dimensioned as to be received snugly within the aforesaid outside case.

15. A vanity case comprising an outer case, and an inner powder container, said outer case comprising a thin continuous sheet metal band forming the periphery of the case, a bottom received within said band near the bottom edge thereof, hinges secured to said band by tongue and slot ,connections, a filler strip substantially equal in width to the internal height of the case, said strip being bent around the inside of the case adjacent the aforesaid band, a rivet passing through the strip and band, the outer end of the rivet projecting from the band to act as a lock detent, the top and bottom edges of the band being turned inwardly to hold the bottom, the flller strip, and the band together in assembled relation, a cover for said case, one edge of said cover being riveted to the aforesaid hinges, and a clasp riveted to the opposite edge of the cover, said inner powder container comprising an upwardly flanged body member, a powder sifter disposed in said body member, a downwardly flangedcover member adapted to mate with the body member, the center part of said cover member being cut away for access to the powder through the sifter, and said container when assembled being so dimensioned as to be received snugly within the aforesaid outside case.

16. A vanity case comprising an outer case, and an inner powder container, said outer case comprising a thin continuous sheet metal band forming the periphery of the case, a bottom received within said band near the bottom edge' thereof, hinges secured to said band by tongue and slot connections, a flller strip substantially equal in width to the internal height of the case, said strip being bent around the inside of the case adjacent the aforesaid band, the ends of said strip coming into abutting relation at a point opposite the aforesaid hinges, a rivet passing between said ends and through the band, the outer end of the rivet projecting from the band to act as a lock detent, the top and bottom edges of the band being curled inwardly to lock the bottom, the filler strip, and the band together in assembled relation, a cover for said case, a relatively stiff sheet metal mirror on the inside of said cover, one edge of said cover being riveted to the aforesaid hinges, and a clasp riveted to the opposite edge of the cover, the rivets of said hinges and clasp passing through the mirror plate as well as the cover and functioning to secure the plate and cover together, said inner powder container comprising an upwardly flanged sheet celluloid body member, a powder sifter disposed in said body member, a downwardly flanged cover member adapted to flt over and mate with the body member, the center part of said cover member being cut away for access to the powder through the sifter, and said container when assembled being so dimensioned as to be received snugly within the aforesaid outside case.

GEORGE ROSENBERG. 

